Soot blower



R. J. GLINN Jan. 3, 1939.

SOOT BLOWER Filed May 21, 1 956 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Roy J n/mas GL/N v ATTORNEY R. J. GLINN Jan. 3, 1939.

SOOT BLOWER Filed May 21, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR /?or James GIJNN a g, Q.

ATTORNEY Jan. 3, 1939. R. J. GLINN 2,142,783

SOOT BLOWER Filed Ma.y 21, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet s [N VENTOR @wv s A TTORNEY Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SOOT BLOWER Mich., a corporation Application May 21,

of Michigan 1936, Serial No. 80,958

In Great Britain May 31, 1935 '7 Claims.

This invention relates to soot blowers adapted for the cleaning of fluid heaters and the like and is directed more particularly to soot blowers of the type in which a movable blower element is arranged to discharge cleaning fluid adjacent portions of the fluid heater to be cleaned.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an improved power unit for imparting movement to the blower element so that the cleaning fluid discharged by the blower element will be properly directed toward the portions of the fluid heater to be cleaned.

A further object of the invention is to provide a power unit of the above mentioned character 16 which will be simple in construction and capable of economical manufacture on a commercial scale,

The invention further contemplates the provision of a power unit which may, if desired, be adapted to impart intermittent movement to the blower element whereby the latter may be periodically brought to rest for desired intervals of time.

The invention still further contemplates the provision of means whereby cleaning fluid may be supplied to the blower element either continuously during a predetermined portion of the movement thereof, or in a series of pufis of a desired duration during all or a portion of the movement of the blower element.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds, particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a blower element constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed elevational view showing the valve housing and a part of the cylinder of the power unit which is arranged to move the blower element;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line l4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a slightly modified form of construction;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a structure similar to that shown in Fig. 5, but showing a modified means for actuating the cleaning fluid control valve;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational View of the valve actuating means shown in Fig. 6;

5 Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2

showing a still further manner in which the cleaning fluid control valve may be actuated; and

Fig. 9 is an elevation of a modified form of cam for controlling the main cleaning fluid supply valve.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral IE! designates a blower element which projects through an opening l2 in the wall l4 of a fluid heater (no-t shown). The blower element is provided within the fluid heater with a plurality of discharge nozzles, one of which is shown in the drawings and is designated by the reference character l6.

Exteriorly of the fluid heater, the blower element has its end suitably journalled in one end of a gooseneck [8, the other end of this gooseneck being secured to a cleaning fluid supply pipe 28. A valve 22 disposed in the gooseneck adjacent the lower end thereof controls the flow of cleaning fluid through the gooseneck and to the blower element.

For rotatively driving the blower element there is fixed or keyed to the same a gear 24, which gear is driven in a manner which will later be brought out. In the embodiment of the invention now being described, the means for actuating the valve 22 is associated with the gear 24, and this means comprises a cam 26 fixed for rotation with gear 24 and arranged to engage a lever 28 pivotally mounted on the gooseneck. This lever is connected to the stem 30 of the valve 22 to periodically depress this stem and open the valve against the force exerted on the valve by the cleaning fluid and also the force exerted by the spring 32.

It will be apparent that the cam 26 may be so shaped that the valve 22 will be held open during a definite arc of rotation of the blower element, or, if desired, a cam 26* may be used having a series of raised portions 26, as shown in Fig. 9, adapted to so actuate lever 28 that the valve is opened and closed a plurality of times during a definite portion of the rotative movement of the blower element. In the latter case it will be understood that the cleaning fluid will be supplied to the blower element in puiis of a desired duration the length of the puffs depending upon the length of the raised portions of the cam.

The blower element is adapted to be rotated in one direction only by a suitable power unit which, in the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated is adapted to be actuated by any fluid under pressure, such for example, as compressed air, steam or liquid. It will be apparent,

respective cylinder.

however, that the broad inventive principles disclosed may be incorporated in and associated with a power unit which is actuated by means other than a fluid under pressure. The power unit is shown in Fig. 2 as comprising aligned cylinders 34 and 36 which may be conveniently secured together by bolts 38 passing through ears 40 on the adjacent open ends of the cylinders. For supporting the cylinders on the gooseneck I8, the cylinders are provided with depending lugs or plates 42 which are secured by bolts 44 and 46 to brackets 48 and 50, which are secured to the gooseneck.

As previously mentioned, the cylinders 34 and 36 are arranged with their bores co-axial and disposed within these cylinders are pistons 52 and 54, the former being arranged to reciprocate in cylinder 34 and the latter being arranged to reciprocate in cylinder 36. The pistons are connected to each other through a system of links, there being a link 56 connected to cylinder 52, a link 58 connected to piston 54 and an intermediate link 60 which is connected to the links 56 and 58 by the pins 62 and 64.

Mounted for pivotal movement on the bolt 44 is a bifurcated lever 66 which is provided at its upper end with an aperture or slot 68 through which the pin 62 extends. A similar lever I0 is iulcrumed on the bolt 46 and is provided at its upper end with an aperture or slot 12 through which the pin 64 extends. It will be apparent that when the pistons are reciprocated, the levers 66 and 10 will be rocked about their fulcrums and that the intervals of rest of these levers will be determined by the lengths of the slots 68 and I2.

For converting the reciprocatory movement of the pistons 52 and 54 into rotation of the blower element in a constant direction the following structure is provided. Journalled on the bolt 44 and meshed with the gear 24 so as to drive the latter, is a pinion 74. This pinion is rotatively driven in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 by a pawl I6 which is pivotally mounted on the lever 66.

Journalled on the bolt 46 is a pinion I0 which is similar in size to the pinion i4 and which meshes with the pinion I4 so as to drive the latter. The pinion I8 is driven in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of pinion M by a pawl 86 which is pivotally mounted on the lever I0. It is to be noted that pinion I6 does not mesh with the gear 24 and further that the pawls are so arranged that when the pistons are moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, the pawl 80 clicks over the teeth of pinion I8 while when the pistons are moved toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2, the pawl 16 clicks over the teeth of the pinion 74. Thus while the pistons are oppositely rotated by their respective pawls, the pinion I4 is driven in a constant direction and thus imparts rotative movement to gear 24 and the blower element in a constant direction.

For effecting a reciprocation of the pistons 52 and 54, a fluid under pressure is admitted and exhausted alternatively to and from the space between each piston and the closed end of its Thus, for example, as fluid is being admitted to cylinder 34, to force piston 52 to the right, as view-ed in Fig. 2, the fluid in back of piston 54 is being exhausted so that the piston 54 can move with piston 52.

For controlling the admission of fluid under pressure toand the exhaust of fluid from the clearly apparent.

cylinders, there is provided a piston valve 82 mounted for reciprocation in a chamber 84 which is suitably mounted on the cylinders 34 and 36. Communicating with the chamber 84 are ports 86 and 88, the former communicating by way of a passage 90 and port 92 with the cylinder 34 and the other port 88 communicating by way of a passage 04 and a port 96 with the cylinder 36.

It will be noted that when the piston valve is in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, fluid under pressure may flow from between the two ends of the piston valve through port 86 and passage 90 to the cylinder 34 and thus in back of piston 52 to force this piston to the right as viewed in Fig. 2. At the same time fluid may exhaust from cylinder 36 by way of port 96, passage 94 and port 86. Obviously, when the valve is shifted to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, for example, the reverse of the above flow is effected, fluid under pressure being admitted to cylinder 36 and exhaust-ed from cylinder 34.

For reciprocating the valve 82, there is provided an arm 68 which engages in a slot I60 in the valve. The arm 98 is fixed on a spindle I02 which is journalled for rotation in a housing I04 mounted on the housing which forms the valve chamber 64. Fixed to the spindle I02 for oscillating the same is a lever I06, While journalled on the spindle I02 is a lever I00. This latter lever is arranged to be oscillated by pins I I0 which are carried by the link 60 and project through a slot II2, formed in the cylinders 34 and 36;

Secured to the free end of lever I06 is a spring II4 and the other end of this spring is secured to the lever I08. The arrangement is such that when lever I08 has passed a certain point in its movement about spindle 21, the spring I [4 causes lever I06 to move quickly to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, this movement being transmitted through the spindle I02 and arm 98 to the valve 82. Pins II6 project laterally from the valve housing on opposite sides of the lever I06 and limit swinging movement of this lever and thus also reciprocating movement of the valve 82.

Fluid under pressure is supplied to the housing I 04 by way of a conduit H8 and this fluid flows from this housing into the chamber 84 between the enlarged ends of the valve 02 by way of the slot I20 through which the arm 98 extends. It will thus be seen that the fluid under pressure will be supplied to that portion of chamber 84 which is between the enlarged ends of the valve and will flow from this portion of the chamber to either one cylinder or the other depending upon the position of the valve.

From the above it is believed that the operation of this embodiment of the invention will be Fluid under pressure is admitted through the pipe I I 8 to the chamber Within the housing I04 and from this chamber the fluid passes to the valve chamber 84. With the valve in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, this fluid under pressure will be admitted to the cylinder 34 to force the pistons 52 and 54 to the right, thus rocking levers 66 and I0 about their fulcrums 44 and 46, the levers being rocked through an are governed by the extent of movement of the pistons.

During this movement of the levers pawl 16 will click over the teeth of pinion 14, while pawl 80 will rotate pinion l8 and this pinion meshing with pinion I4 will rotate the latter and this pinion in turn will rotate the gear 24 and the blower element. During the movement of the pistons, the pins III] will move the lever I08 toward the right as viewed, for example, in Fig. 3, thus compressing spring IHI. When lever II18 has passed a predetermined point, the spring I I4 causes lever I66 to move quickly to the left as viewed in Fig. 3 and this movement is transmitted to the arm 98 by spindle I02. This rapid movement of the arm 98 throws valve 82 into a position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings but on the other side of the center line with the result that fluid is admitted to cylinder 36 and exhausted from cylinder 34. The direction of motion of the pistons is thus reversed and the pawl "is caused to rotate pinion 14 thus further driving the blower element in the same direction.

It might be noted that as the pistons 52 and 54 approach the ends of their strokes, the speed of rotation of the pinions "I4 and I8 is reduced and at the instant that the pistons change the direction of their motion, pinions l4 and I8 are stationary and in consequence the blower element It is also stationary. This momentary pause of the blower element may be varied as desired, by increasing or decreasing the length of the slots I58 and I2, it being apparent that if the slots are relatively short, the pause will be only momentary, while if the slots are relatively long, the pause will, in consequence, be lengthened.

In any event, however, it will be apparent that the blower element will rotate in a series of small arcs with a definite interval of rest between each movement. With the construction disclosed in the drawings, cleaning fluid may be admitted to the blower element continuously during a predetermined portion of the rotation of the blower element or the cleaning fluid may be admitted in a series of puffs depending upon the shape of the cam '26. Obviously, also if the cam is designed to cause cleaning fluid to be admitted in puffs to the blower element, the arrangement may be such that the puffs or cleaning fluid are supplied to the element during the intervals that it is stationary, or in other words, whenever the pistons are at one or the other end of the stroke.

In Fig. 5 there is semi-diagrammatically illustrated a modified type of valve for controlling the admission of cleaning fluid tov the blower e ement. The valve is of the general type shown in Patent No. 1,944,324 and consists generally in a main valve connected to a piston, means providing for the building up of pressure in back of the piston to hold the main valve closed, and an auxiliary valve operable to permit or prevent the discharge of fluid from the space in the cylinder back of the piston.

Referring then to Fig. 5, the blower element I0 is shown as extending through an opening in a fluid heater wall I and having interiorly of the fluid heater discharge nozzles I6 for directing fluid adjacent the portions of the fluidheater to be cleaned. The element is provided with a gear E i which in turn is arranged to be driven in a constant direction by a power mechanism similar to that previously described. Exteriorly of the fluid heater the blower element is arranged to receive cleaning fluid from a supply pipe 28 and the flow of cleaning fluid from the supply pipe to the blower element is controlled by a valve I22. This valve is of the sliding type and for actuating the same there is provided a piston I24 mounted for reciprocation in a suitable cylinder I26. A port I28 places the lower end of the cylinder in cominunication with the cleaning fluid supply pipe 2Il thus providing that the lower face or the piston is constantly exposed to the pressure of the cleaning fluid.

Provision is also made for permitting cleaning fluid under pressure to leak past the piston into that portion of the cylinderwhich is above the piston and while this may be accomplished in any desired manner, the desired results may conveniently be obtained by slightly flattening or cutting off one side of the piston ring I30 in the piston. Also acting on the rear face of the piston and tending to hold the valve I22 closed, is a spring I32, the arrangement being such that the combined force exerted by the spring I32 and the pressure of the fluid above the piston is sufflcient to hold the valve in its closed position.

In order to effect an opening of the valve I22, it is necessary to provide some means for venting the space in back of the piston I24, and for this purpose there is provided an exhaust conduit I34 which is tapped into the cylinder I26 at any convenient point. the conduit I36 is controlled by a valve I36 and this valve is normally held closed by a suitable spring I38. The valve is provided with a stem [-33 arranged to be actuated by the cam 26 with the result that when the valve stem is engaged by the cam, the valve I36 is opened thus permitting fluid under pressure to exhaust from conduit I34 to the atmosphere by way of exhaust opening I42.

The cam 26 may be arranged to so actuate the auxiliary valve as to effect an opening of the main valve I22 and to cause this valve to be held open during a definite arc of rotation of the blower element. If, however, it is'desired to admit cleaning fluid to the blower element in puffs, it will be apparent that the cam 26 may be formed with a series of raised portions as shown in Fig. 9 adapted to periodically actuate the auxiliary valve with the result that the main valve is opened and closed a plural number of times during each 360 degrees rotation of the blower element.

If desired, the actuation of the auxiliary valve may conveniently be effected by the spindle 32 and this arrangement is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. Referring to those figures it will be noted that the spindle Itfi is extended and is provided on its extended end with a cam I50. This cam is arranged to actuate the stem I Ii'I of the auxiliary valve I36 and is so designed that whenever the spindle is rocked to the limits of its rotative movement in either direction, the auxiliary valve is opened thus permitting fluid under pressure to exhaust from in back of the piston which actuates the main valve.

It will be apparent that with the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the main cleaning fluid supply valve will be opened during the intervals that the pistons which drive the blower element are moving from one position to the other, but that the main valve is closed each time the blower element actuating pistons reach the limit of their movement. Obviously, if desired, the cam I58 might be so positioned on shaft I62 that the main cleaning fluid supply valve is opened momentarily each time that the pistons reach one end of their stroke with the result that cleaning fluid will be supplied to the blower element during the intervals of rest of the latter.

As an alternative way of accomplishing the above result, two auxiliary valves might be pro- The discharge of fluid from r a second conduit I34,

vided each being arranged to control the discharge from a suitable conduit and the two conduits being connected to the cylinder in which the main valve actuating piston is located. Such an arrangement is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein it will be noted that piston 52 is provided with a stem I52 which projects through the end of its respective cylinder 34, it being, of course, understood that a suitable stuffing box or the like is provided to prevent the escape of fluid under pressure from the cylinder. The stem I52 is arranged to actuate the stem Mil of the valve I36, this valve in turn controlling the exhaust of fluid under pressure from the conduit 134.

In like manner, piston 54 is provided with a stem 56 which is arranged to engage the stem Mil of the valve I35, this valve in turn controlling the discharge of fluid under pressure from The two conduits I34 may be tapped separately into the cylinder (not shown) in which the main cleaning fluid actuating piston is located or, if desired, the two conduits I34 may be combined into a single conduit which communicates with the cylinder in the same manner as conduit I34 illustrated in Fig. or" the drawings.

Obviously, with the construction just described, cleaning fluid will be momentarily admitted to the blower element each time the actuating pistons for the element reach the limit of their movement in either direction so that a puff of cleaning fluid will be supplied to the blower element each time the latter is momentarily stationary.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes inv the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a fluid heater cleaner, a rotatable-blower element, a piston mounted for reciprocation, means for reciprocating said piston, means for rotating the blower element including a pair of interengaging pinions one of which is arranged to rotate the blower element, and means for rotating said pinions upon. reciprocation of said piston, said means including slotted connections between the pinions and the piston, the arrangement being such that the'pinions rotate in opposite directions and the slotted connections providing that the rotative movement of the blower element is intermittently interrupted.

2. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotative movement, a pair of pistons mounted for reciprocatory movement, means for reciprocating said pistons, connections between said pistons and said blower element for converting the reciprocatory movement of the pistons into rotative movement of the blower element, a main valve for controlling the admission of cleaning fluid to the blower element, auxiliary valves for controlling the actuation of said main valve, and a pair of valve actuating members one of which is adapted to be actuated by each piston adapted to actuate said auxiliary valves, the arrangement being such that as each piston reaches the limit of its movement in one direction its respective auxiliary valve is actuated.

3. In a fluid heater cleaner, a rotatable blower element, a pair of pistons mounted for reciprocatory movement, means for reciprocating said pistons, means for converting the reciprocatory movement of said pistons into rotative movement of the blower element, said last mentioned means including links connecting said pistons, and arms having slotted connections with said links, the slotted connections between said arms and said links providing for a periodic interruption in the movement of the blower element, and means for supplying a puff of cleaning fluid to said blower element each time the movement thereof is interrupted.

e. In a fluid heater cleaner, a rotatable blower element, a gear connected to the blower element for rotating the same, a pinion meshing with the gear for driving the same, a second pinion meshed with the'first mentioned pinion for driving the latter, said second mentioned pinion being free from meshing engagement with the gear, a pair of pistons mounted for reciprocation, links connecting said pistons, means for re ciprocating said pistons including a valve for causing fluid under pressure alternately to act on said pistons, an arm actuated by said links for actuating said valve, an arm mounted for rocking movement about the axis of each pinion, a slotted connection between each arm and said links arranged to rock the arms upon reciprocation of the pistons, a pawl carried by each arm and arranged to rotate its respective pinion, said pawls being oppositely arranged whereby upon rocking of the arms the pinions are oppositely rotated, a valve controlling the admission of cleaning fluid to the blower element, and means for periodically opening and closing said valve whereby cleaning fluid is admitted to the blower element in puffs.

5. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation, a fitting in which said element is journalled, a housing carried by the fitting, a piston mounted in the housing for reciprocation therein, means for reciprocating the piston, connections mounted on the fitting between the piston and the blower element for effecting a rotation of the latter upon reciprocation of the former, a valve for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said element mounted in said fitting, and connections between said piston and said valve including a cam having a series of raised portions whereby the valve is opened and closed a plurality of times during a definite portion of a rotative movement of the blower element.

6. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotation, a fitting in which said element is rotatively journalled, a housing mounted on the fitting, a pair of connected pistons mounted in the housing for reciprocation therein, means for reciprocating the pistons, connections mounted by the fitting between the pistons and the blower element for effecting a rotation of the latter upon reciprocation of the former, a valve for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to said element mounted in said fitting, means exerior to but carried by the fitting to actuate the valve, said valve actuating means being operated by said pistons to open said valve in timed relation to the rotation of the blower element.

'7. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower element mounted for rotative movement, a pair of pistons mounted for reciprocation, means for effecting a reciprocatory movement of said pistons, connections between said pistons and said blower element for converting the reciprocatory movement of said pistons into rotative movement of the blower element, a pair of auxiliary valves arranged to be actuated by the reciprocatory movement of said pistons, a main valve for controlling the admission of cleaning fluid to the blower element, means actuating said main valve upon actuation of either of said auxiliary valves, and connections between said pistons and said auxiliary valves whereby upon actuation of each of said pistons an associated; auxiliary valve is actuated.

ROY JAMES GLINN. 

